UAFS baseball team has started the weekend off with a win and celebration of an outstanding milestone for the head coach Todd Holland as the Lions defeated Eastern New Mexico by the score of 13-7. With this win, Crystal, Minn. native has recorded his 500th career win. 

Holland has compiled a 156-107 win-loss record in his sixth year as the UAFS baseball head coach, "Winning games is important and I do my best to enjoy and appreciate each win our team earns. Winning 500 games would not be possible without outstanding players, coaches and staff I had the pleasure of working with. This also wouldn't be possible without my family's love and support through countless hours we get to spend on this field," said Holland.

This past season, Holland guided the Lions to a 27-19 overall finish and a third-place finish in the Heartland Conference. UAFS earned its seventh appearance in the Heartland Conference Tournament in eight seasons as an active NCAA Division II member.

Holland has led UAFS to 32-19 overall record and Collegiate Baseball Division II and NCBWA Division II Top 25 ranking during the 2018 season, peaking at No. 16 in the NCBWA Division II Top 25. That year UAFS also received its first-ever No. 1 ranking in the NCAA Division II South Central Region and became the first UAFS program in any sport to earn a No. 1 region ranking.

In 2017 Holland guided the Lions to their best season ever as a NCAA Division II program with a program-best 35-22 overall -- setting the single-season record for wins -- and 18-6 in Heartland Conference play. The Lions finished runner-up in the Heartland Conference, earning their first-ever bid to the NCAA Division II National Tournament. The Lions finished runner-up in the South Central Region Tournament.

Aside of his winning habits, coach Holland is known for being a true mentor to his players, "Coach Holland is an outstanding instructor of baseball skills and strategy. Winning 500 games is important but how much he cares for the student-athletes is just as impressive. With that said five hundred victories is a major accomplishment. I don't doubt he will win many more," concluded UAFS Athletic Director Curtis Janz. 

Holland started his coaching career at Cameron University as he succeed longtime Aggie head coach Ron Ihler in the summer of 2003 after spending the previous season as Ihler's assistant coach.

GAME RECAP: UAFS 13, Eastern New Mexico 7

In today's game, Lions met with Greyhounds and recorded 13 runs on 15 hits in 37 at bats. UAFS started out strong scoring six runs in the first inning. Just as the fans thought this game could be over before it even started, the Greyhounds stroke back with four unanswered runs over the following two innings. At the score 6-4 for the Lions, Caleb Grace singled to the left fiald and drove Cash Balentine in to start another run for the Lions.

Ryan Flake, Morgan Crenshaw and Nolan Riley scored the following three runs allowing Lions to relax going into the seventh inning with an 11-4 advantage. However, Greyhounds fought back once again scoring three more unanswered runs to put the score at 11-7. In the eighth inning Morgan Crenshaw singled to center field and drove Ryan Flake and Cash Balentine in to set the final score at 13-7. 

The Lions were led today by Crenshaw with two runs, three hits and two RBIs while Brooks Sunny recorded two runs, two hits and two RBIs. Cash Balentine added three runs, two hits and one RBI to complete an extraordinary offensive output for the Lions. 

Pitching staff allowed seven earned runs on 13 hits while recording a total of nine strikeouts. Drew Young recorded his fourth win (4-1) this season while allowing six runs on 12 hits in six inning. He also added six strikeouts. Nico Sharp allowed no runs and no hits while pitching 2.1 innings during this game. 

Lions will continue their conference homestand against Eastern New Mexico with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday on Crowder Field. Admission, as always, is free, and the weather will be perfect for a day in the park. Live stats and live video stream will be available as well.